Read new messages from teachers in the student's Canvas Inbox.
If the student enrolled after school began, there are probably a few messages in the Canvas Inbox that do not apply to new students. Examples include messages from the teacher about assignments that were due prior to the new student's enrollment date.
The messages that are important for a new student are "welcome" messages to the student that provide guidance on the starting point for assignments or back-to-school activities if the student enrolled before the semester began, etc. If in doubt about the content of a message, ask the teacher for clarification.
Call or send a Canvas message to all teachers. (Please use the Canvas Inbox if sending a message.)
Students who are old enough to send a Canvas message or call the teacher are asked to do that if this task was not completed as one of the Canvas training exercises. (It's good practice.) Younger students will require assistance from the Learning Coach. It is recommended that the message or phone conversation include:
A brief introduction if you have not talked with your teacher already. (Students can say where they were in school last year and the favorite subject.) Teachers love to get to know their new students.
One sentence saying the student completed the onboarding course, including the Canvas training modules.
A statement that indicates that: (1) the school laptop has been received or that a personal computer is available for full time lesson load while waiting. If neither of those conditions is true, the Learning Coach is asked to contact the Learning Coach Partner immediately.
Please note that teachers should only be called during the school day. Teachers' hours are listed on the home page of their courses. If you reached this section of the onboarding course in the evening, on the weekend, or during a school break, please send a Canvas message instead.
[This step only applies to students who are starting school at UVA after the first day of the 1st or 2nd semester.]
If the student completed onboarding in less time than was expected (i.e., less than one week from the enrollment date), that is great! However, unless the student was told what to do if onboarding concluded quickly, please ask for a confirmation of the starting point in the course and the start date before beginning a course early. A slight adjustment might need to be made to the course or the teacher might advise alternate activities until the intended start date.
For example, teachers do not want a student start a course on the day of a test. Taking a test or quiz as the first activity "to see how the student does" is not advised. The grade will be entered in the grade book.
This is a very important step for starting smoothly. We want our students to begin their assignments as quickly as possible, and that is assured when teaches and students (and Learning Coaches) are in sync. Please get the go ahead to begin early. A call is recommended for these circumstances.